Morris 'tatter coat' hike raises cash for hospice

Peter Gale, 51, raised £1,400 for Peterborough's Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice in a Morris tatter coat in honour of his late mother

A Morris dancer has taken part in a charity hike dressed in a colourful tatter coat in honour of his mother, who helped him make it.

Peter Gale, 51, from Market Deeping in Lincolnshire, completed the 10km (6.2 mile) challenge with his wife and friends after the organised Sue Ryder Starlight Hike was cancelled last month because of Storm Amy.

Mr Gale, who raised £1,400, said he wanted to fundraise for Thorpe Hall Hospice in Peterborough, where staff cared for his mother at the end of her life.

"When the chance came to raise funds for the hospice that cared for her so well, it felt only right to walk in her honour wearing the coat we made together," he said.

More than 400 walkers and 90 volunteers were expected to take part in the charity's Starlight Hike at Peterborough's Ferry Meadows, on 4 October.

The event which featured a 5km (3.1 mile) and 10km (6.2 mile) route, had to be called off after Storm Amy's "dangerously high wind gusts" of up to 40mph (64km/h) were forecast.

Peter Gale was joined by his wife and friends on a 10km (6.2m) walk along the Market Deeping village

Sue Ryder, which offers palliative and bereavement care, had hoped to raise £41,000 through the planned walk.

However, since then, the charity said many supporters had continued their own fundraising activities and had so far raised £30,000.

Mr Gale's mother, who had recently retired and hoped to devote more time to sewing and creating items to sell in support of the hospice, was diagnosed with terminal cancer shortly after her 70th birthday.

Determined to make the most of their time, the pair began crafting the vivid coat.

"I wore the coat during visits to the hospice so she could see my handiwork," Mr Gale said.

"I even once visited her dressed up as a traditional tree to make her smile.

The Sue Ryder staff made mum's final months as comfortable and dignified as possible. This walk was my way of saying thank you.

"Now, whenever I dance, I know she's there – probably checking I've taken all the pins out."

Annette Mawby, community fundraiser at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, said: "The kindness and generosity shown by the community has been astonishing.

"The support means so much to us."